Birds around the yard
March 30, 2008 · Print This Article
Not much birding was done during the last week and a half. We learned that Sharon’s mother was in grave condition in a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. We immediately left for Erie and arrived on March 19th. After a battle with a bad heart, diabetes and other health problems, she passed away peacefully on March 21st. We returned home on the 26th.
This post is dedicated in memory of Phyllis Sulzycki.
This weekend, we observed and photographed birds that visited our yard here in Bath, Maine. The high point was the close flybys of a 2nd Year Bald Eagle, 3rd Year Bald Eagle and an Adult Bald Eagle today. Ducks and Geese fleeing from the river was the only warning that these Eagles were around.
An influx of Fox and Song Sparrows arrived this weekend. Singing from the bushes and scratching around under the feeders, I estimated 25 Sparrows. Quite a few American Robins also stopped by, with a vigorous flock of approx. 50 taking a few minutes to look for food on the small patches of yard not covered by snow. I could not believe my eyes as I watched a Robin pull a worm from the ground. I figured with the ground still frozen solid, worms would not be anywhere near the surface, but I was proved wrong.
Sharon and I got good looks at a Northern Shrike, Ring-Necked Duck, Red-Tailed Hawk and a Great Blue Heron today. Other birds visiting the feeders were Nuthatches, Titmice, Gold Finches, Chickadees, Brown Creepers, Blue Jays, Cardinals and that dastardly squirrel.
Last night, White-Tailed Deer came through our yard, flipped the large covered platform feeder and ate every bit of seed. They also knocked around one of our hanging feeders and helped themselves to what fell to the ground.
The Kennebec River continues to be a hot spot for hundreds of Ducks and Geese. American Wigeons, Pintails, Mallards, Black Ducks, Green-Winged Teals, Canada Geese and Ring-Necked Ducks are present every day. It is comical to watch them waddle on the mud flats during low tide.
The following are photos of birds viewed in and from our yard. Comments and criticisms are always welcomed!
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Happy birding!
Technorati Tags: birding, birds, Maine, Bald Eagle, photos
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I really enjoy your site and the photos are a big part of that, could you talk in the future about your camera equipment and how you get photos like the creeper, titmouse and then ducks and eagles in flight is that done with the same camera? I’ve tried photographing birds at home and on birding trips for years and my results are awful. thanks
Michele;
Thank you fo visiting and for your wonderful comments!
I have been asked lately by visitors, including you, what equipment I am using and how I get the pictures, settings etc.
I guess it’s time to do this. Thanks for the suggestion.
Look for an article this coming weekend.
John
Hi neighbor! I’ve enjoyed reading your site since discovering it a month ago. I live not far from you , in Phippsburg. Yesterday, Thursday April 3rd , I saw 2 red winged blackbirds fly right by your house!!! Have you seen them yet? I also spotted the kingfisher that hangs out on a power line overlooking Dromore Bay in Phippsburg today. My buddy is back!
Mel;
I am glad to hear you found our site! I have seen Red-Winged Black birds in the area, but none in our yard yet.
I have been anxiously waiting for the Kingfishers, but none as of yet.
John